Special Education

The special education program prepares generalists rather than specialists in any one area of special education. Students interested in the endorsement of Exceptional Child Generalist K-12 must integrate the special education courses and internship into their elementary or secondary education program. Obtaining the Exceptional Child Generalist endorsement enables a special education teacher to work with students with special and individual needs in grades K-12 in a resource program or through inclusion in a regular classroom.

Teacher candidates must complete a major endorsement in either Elementary Education (All Subjects K-8) or Secondary Education (Specific Content Area 6-12). For endorsement, students must also pass the Praxis II exam #5543-Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Application.

The early childhood special education minor prepares generalists and not specialists in any one area. Students will have to complete a six-credit internship along with 14 other credits to earn the minor.

Related Careers

• Special education teacher, preschool, $61,400
• Special education teacher, elementary and middle school, $61,820
• Special education teacher, high school, $62,320
• Education teacher, postsecondary, $65,440

Career data and salary information is from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics